| If you love gardens, but haven't been able to create | | | | layer of sand). Last, add the third layer,the soil (you |
| one becauseof lack of space or time, a container | | | | can use either regular planting soil, or soil richin |
| garden can be the perfectsmall scale alternative. | | | | nutrients). |
| Container Gardens aren't a newinvention, but the idea | | | | Make sure to leave some room at the top of |
| has recently grown past urban andapartment living to | | | | thecontainer so you can add the plants without |
| suburban living. There is no limit to wherecontainer | | | | spilling soil, Youcan add some soil to the top after |
| gardens can be created, and it is popular everywhere | | | | adding your plants in order tolevel the top, but make |
| asa way to enhance ones landscaping or to add a | | | | sure to leave some room still so when youwater the |
| little bit ofnature into a setting that was previously | | | | plants the rim will keep the water from |
| barren. | | | | overflowingbefore the water drains into the soil. At |
| If you'rehaving trouble picturing what a container | | | | this point, if youwish to decorate the top of he |
| garden is, think of itas a mobile planter (although you | | | | container, you can add pebbles orlandscaping stones, |
| may keep it in one place if youwish). With modern | | | | but it is not necessary. |
| materials such as plastic, clay, metal, andconcrete | | | | After adding the small rocks, sand, and soil, you'll |
| receptacles, it is easy to create your own | | | | need tochoose the plants to add. It is completely up |
| containergarden. | | | | to you based onthe type of garden you would like to |
| To begin creating your container garden, you first | | | | have, but be sure the amount of sunlight and climate |
| need to choosewhat material you want your | | | | iscorrect for the types of plants you choose. Some |
| container to be made from, and howbig the container | | | | optionsthat might interest you are an herb garden to |
| should be. No matter the size or material, | | | | enhance yourcooking, or flowers or native plants |
| thecontainer must have a hole or multiple holes in the | | | | simply for decoration, oreven vegetables such as |
| bottom fordrainage when watering. You should have | | | | tomatoes you can eat when the timeis right. |
| an overflow dish for thecontainer to sit in so that, | | | | Make sure when it comes time to place your plants |
| over time, the plants can hydratethemselves with | | | | into thecontainer, you dig a hole for each plant, and |
| the excess water over time. | | | | pour water intoeach hole before placing the plant in it. |
| For aestheticpurposes, it is smart to have the | | | | Newly plantedvegetation needs plenty of water, |
| overflow dish made out of thesame material as the | | | | after the plants areinstalled, you should water the |
| container. It does not matter where youplace your | | | | entire container again to give as healthy a start as |
| container, as long as you are sure that you choose | | | | possible. |
| thecorrect plants for it based on the amount of | | | | That's all there is to it! You can now cultivate your |
| sunlight that theywill be receiving. | | | | garden andwatch the plants grow. It really is easy to |
| After choosing the material, size, and location for | | | | create a gardenwhere you may have previously |
| yourcontainer, you will need to purchase three types | | | | thought it wasn't possible. Ifeverything doesn't go |
| of substrate forit: small rocks, sand, and soil. You will | | | | perfectly, and notice some withering orbrowning of |
| begin by adding alayer of small rocks to cover the | | | | your plants, don't worry. You can simply trywatering |
| bottom of the container. Then adda layer of one to | | | | the plants a little more often or move the plant |
| 2 inches of sand, depending onthe depth of your | | | | towhere it can get the proper amount of sunlight. |
| container (the deeper the container, thethicker the | | | | |